Railway achieves new milestone; sends first-ever persimmon for 'Japanese Fruit' consignment from Ludhiana to Howrah
Ferozepur, September 13, 2026: In a new initiative in the field of freight transportation, the Ferozepur Division of Northern Railway has, for the first time, begun the rail movement of persimmon fruit — also known as the "Japanese fruit" or "Amarfal" — from Ludhiana to Howrah.
Under the guidance of Divisional Railway Manager Shri Sanjeev Kumar, this new traffic was secured through the special efforts of the Business Development Unit of Ferozepur Division. On September 12, 2026, outward loading of persimmon fruit was successfully carried out from Ludhiana Railway Station into the SLR coach of Train No. 13006 (Amritsar–Howrah Mail). A total of 2,600 kilograms of persimmon, packed in 98 packets, was dispatched from Ludhiana to Howrah.
According to railway officials, farmers in the cold horticultural regions of Himachal Pradesh, including the Kullu Valley, are increasingly adopting persimmon cultivation owing to its low cultivation cost, better market value, and rising domestic demand. Nutritionally, persimmon is also a highly beneficial fruit, being rich in Vitamin C, fibre and antioxidants, while remaining low in calories. It is also considered better suited to changing climatic conditions compared to apples.
Through the efforts of the Business Development Unit of Ferozepur Division, the traffic of persimmon fruit coming from Himachal Pradesh has been secured via rail route through Ludhiana. Currently, the fruit is being dispatched to Howrah, Kolkata and Sealdah, while other major destinations such as Patna and Guwahati are expected to be added in the coming days.
Senior Divisional Commercial Manager/Freight, Pardeep Singh Saini, said that Ferozepur Division's reliable and time-bound freight transportation system is providing better facilities to traders. He added that the Division is continuously working to increase freight traffic and provide eco-friendly modes of transportation.